Rugby Notes from ‘Clubman’

10th November 2017

After taking an early lead at Leicester Road on Saturday with an opportunist try that gave The Blues heart on their first ever visit to Hinckley it all went downhill and in the end a comprehensive defeat saw the side return to Priory Park pointless and still seeking that run which will take the side away from the danger area in Two North.

It gets no easier as second placed Tynedale – with whom we have a long history – visit Priory Park on Saturday following their 47-11 victory over Sheffield so it’s time to get your support on line come 3.pm.to get behind the side. Elsewhere in Two North the big surprise was the first defeat of the season being inflicted on leaders Stourbridge who went down 20-14 at Sheffield Tigers thus reducing their lead at the top to six points over Tynedale. Sedgley Park, Sale, South Leicester and Leicester Lions all had good results at the top end of the table whilst Wharfedale sit rock bottom after their high scoring 43-30 defeat at Sedge with Sheffield just above them five points adrift of Otley and just seven from The Blues.

After the Tynedale game on Saturday we have a week off followed by successive games against Sheffield, Otley and Luctonians who all currently sit below us in the table and even at this stage of the campaign they are looking like ‘must win’ games for the Squad.

I stayed at Priory Park on Saturday where the only game being played was the Lions against Sedgley Park and after dominating the first half the Lions were pegged back a little after the break but were still good value for their 26-10 victory which keeps them in contention mid table in the Cotton Traders Premier League.

Away from Priory Park the Thirds went down to a strong Wirral 2nd XV and the Fourth team had a rare off day losing a close encounter 26-20 to Knutsford 1st team. Again I have not been provided with any detail about these encounters……………………….

The Autumn Internationals were started off on Saturday at HQ where the mighty All Blacks overcame the Barbarians by 31-22 and this coming weekend there are a whole lot of Internationals with England’s new look (courtesy of injuries) squad taking on Argentina at Twickenham whilst Wales, Ireland , Scotland Italy also get their sides primed up for next year’s Six Nations – all this whilst England’s Cricketers are warming up ‘down under’ for what should be an interesting Ashes Series – I can’t wait for those early morning starts………………….

Putting my ‘other hat’ on I watched that 13 a side game on Saturday when England took on Lebanon – yes Lebanon (with a little bit of Australian influence) – in the RL World Cup and despite coming out on top by 29-10 they were given a bit of a shock by the part-timers and will need to pick up their game for their remaining pool game against France next Sunday if they are to make an impression on the tournament and progress through to the next stage. I note also this weekend that recent RL convert – Josh Charnley – who has not settled in to the fifteen a side game at Sale could possibly be making a return to his first sport as another big name has arrived at Sale in the form of Marland Yarde who comes with his own reputation from Harlequins. Interesting stuff.

Anyway enough of that and games for this Saturday for Macclesfield sides as follows:

It's six days to go until #RWC2019 kicks off!
Download the official Rugby World Cup 2019 app 📱
➡️Latest #RWC2019 team news and features
➡️Match highlights, try clips and Japan-specific features
➡️Full schedules and host cities info 🇯🇵🍵🗻